Date: Sun, 1 May 1994 21:12:00 +0100 From: Bonnie Haley GLAAD/SFBA MEDIA WATCH April 28,1994 KFRC RESPONDS Listeners to "oldies" radio station KFRC have been assaulted by a barrage of very old, racist and homophobic broadcasts. For example, the morning jocks have reportedly used the public airwaves to proclaim that lesbians and gays are "sick and pathetic." This, according to General Manager David Bramnick, is just one example of how the DJs "routinely poke fun at a wide spectrum of people and communities." Some fun. Bramnick also claims that KFRC's bigotry is some sort of community service that "involves pushing the envelope and challenging today's politically-correct sensibilities." It seems that KFRC is not interested in engaging a mature and serious discussion on the matter. But maybe the station's advertisers will be interested. Listen in -- if you can stand it -- and jot down the names of the station's advertisers. Let these companies know that if they support hate, you won't support them. Of course, you can also write David Bramnick, General Manager, KFRC, 500 Washington St., SF, CA 94111, tel. 415-391-9970, fax 415-397-7655. KOFY vs KFRC In an on-air editorial, James Gabbert, president of TV station KOFY (station 20) has challenged the irresposibility and callousness of KFRC's morning DJs. Said Gabbert: "KFRC's morning team recently has said some very insulting things about Asians, Latinos...and gays. You know, there's enough violence in the streets today without inciting something like this...Ultimately, you the public have control over KFRC, don't listen to them. Comments may be directed to James Gabbert, President, KOFY, 2500 Main St., SF, CA 95124, tel. 415-821-2020. STILL THE PITS In the March-April issue of VIDEO LIBRARIAN magazine, publisher Randy Pitman reviewed the hate video GAY RIGHTS, SPECIAL RIGHTS. Among other things, Pitman used his review to ridicule "idiotic exhibitionists in drag." He also stated that he "can sympathize with parents who are concerned about information on sexual preferences being included in the grade school core curriculum." Though Pitman pointed out the video's obvious homophobia, he also argued that the hate tape has "a serious and valid argument at its core. Should gays and lesbians be accorded minority group status and thereby gain civil rights protections...and the issue raises questions: what about civil rights for S&M enthusiasts and foot fetishists?" In response to that review, Pitman has received several complaintsthat he has since dismissed as "knee-jerk responses." One critical reader reminded Pitman that GAY RIGHTS, SPECIAL RIGHTS resembles the misinformation campaign wages by "Hitler's propaganda ministry." Missing the point entirely, Pitman replied that the analogy is "more than a little insulting to the 6 million Jews who died (if 6 million gays have likewise suffered in America, I'm unfamiliar with it)." Remarkably, Pitman -- who apparently sees no reason to teach tolerance to all young children or affirm the dignity of lesbian and gay youth in the classroom -- claims that he is not "anti-gay." Pitman can dish criticism out, but he seems unwilling to take it. Direct your comments to Randy Pitman, Editor/Publisher, VIDEO LIBRARIAN, P.O. Box 2725, Bremerton, WA 98310, tel., 206-377-2231, fax 206-692-7268. HOMOSEXUAL HALLMARK One of the nation's most active homophobic hate groups, the American Family Association (AFA), is encouraging its members to flood Dayton-Hudson stores with complaints. According to the AFA, the stores "have introduced a line of greeting cards to b sent between straights and homosexuals." These evil cards are being sold at Dayton stores in Minneapolis and Marshall Field's stores in Chicago. The cards are produced by Cardthartic, a small, Chicago-based business. In their latest newsletter, the 'phobes of the AFA further report -- with horror -- that "a new line of cards from Cardthartic will be for homosexual men and their mothers, siblings and other family members to send to each other." So much for family values. To counter the AFA's call for criticism, ssend your supportive cards and letters to CEO Kenneth Macke, Dayton-Hudson Company, 777 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402, tel. 612-370-6948. MEDIA BRIEFS Grassroots Queers, a Philadelphia-based activist group, is calling for everyone to call their local cable company and complain about programming provided by the Family Channel, Pat Robertson's Christian Coalition network. For information: Grassroots Queers, P.O. Box 1294, Philadelphia, PA 19105, tel. 215-545-7453, ext. 2. Ring of truth: Pacific Bell's recent mail campaign features photos of two same-sex couples (one lesbian, the other gay) to promote the company's Custom Calling features "designed to keep you in close touch with oyur partner or friends." Contact Corporate Headquarters, 140 New Montgomery St., SF, CA 94105, tel. 800-303-3000. The American library Association's Gay and lesbian Task Force has compiled a disk-full of information; for copies of their 85-page catalog/order form (available only on diskette) write to GLTF Clearinghouse, ALA Office for Outreach Servies, 50 East Huron St., Chicago, Ill. 60611. WE MUST CONFRONT HOMOPHOBIA IN ORDER TO CURE IT! TO NOTIFY THE GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION OF ANY DEFAMATORY MEDIA COVERAGE, OR TO REQUEST MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GLAAD, CONTACT GLAAD/SFBA, 514 CASTRO STREET, SUITE B, SF, CA 94114, TEL. 415-861-4588, FAX 415-861-4893, E-MAIL BONNIE@OUTRIGHT.COM.